Yummy cat treats
PET treats are terrific for supplying fun and an excuse for extra cuddle time, but too many sweets are a problem.
Meals tend to be balanced nutritionally, but treats just go for the wow factor. Therefore, the advice of vets is that treats should make up about 5% to 10% of daily calorie intake.
The pet treat industry is huge and there are lots of choices out there. For the new cat owner, there are two big questions to consider before buying.
First, unlike human food, the rules about listing ingredients in cat treats tend not to be strict. Therefore, do buy brands with a good reputation.
Second, know your ingredients. As cats are obligate carnivores, they have special dietary requirements. They must eat a lot of pure meat – but exactly what else they can and must eat is a matter of furious debate. Read up on what scientific studies say and make up your own mind.
Do avoid giving cats treats made for humans. Food that is toxic to cats includes: chocolate, onions, garlic, scallions, avocado, raisins, grapes and leeks. In addition, many cats are lactose intolerant so those pets don’t do well with milk and cheese.
Finally, the artificial sweetener Xylitol is deadly to dogs. Nobody is certain yet what it does to cats, but some vets are warning it’s best to avoid giving it to cats, just in case. This means you should not give your pet peanut butter, jam, coconut spread or anything else that may have Xylitol in it.
Apart from commercial treats that you approve of, perfectly healthy homemade titbits include steamed and roast chicken with no seasonings and the bones removed.
Also, you can make your own creamy treats by steaming chicken liver and pureeing it with a dash of water. Do note that it’s meat but it’s not a nutritious meal, so do keep to the 5% to10% rule. And if in doubt, go and talk to your vet. – Ellen
Whyte